Letter from Fr. Ferland Regarding St. James Re-Opening on May 30, 2020

Dear Parishioners of St. James Parish

It is my great desire to return to public worship at St. James Church on the feast of Pentecost and we will do so on that feast of the Holy Spirit, but I wanted to highlight some guidelines that we will be following to ensure the physical safety and peace of mind for all parishioners of St. James Church.  We are adhering to the directives of the Diocese of Providence and the directives of the State of Rhode Island.

            * To assist in prayerful social distancing we have taped off every other pew.  So a pew that is taped off is one that you should not enter.  This is to give space and distance between the worshipers.

            * The number of people that will be allowed to enter St. James Church for a mass has been set at 150 people. 

            * All parishioners will be required to enter St. James Church through the center front door.  Parishioners may exit by any door but entrance is only by the center front door.  We will have hand sanitizing dispensers at the vestibule of St. James Church for parishioners use.  Parishioners may also use their own personal hand sanitizing solution, but all parishioners will be expected to sanitize their hands immediately upon entry to the St. James Church. 

            * Please remember that Bishop Tobin has continued to dispense everyone in the Diocese of Providence from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses until further notice.  So if you are hesitant due to underlying health conditions to attend or display any symptoms you should not attend the celebration of Mass at St. James.

            * Parishioners will be required to wear a face mask for the duration of the celebration of Mass, with the exception of receiving Holy Communion.

            * One of the differences that you will notice at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is that hymnals, missalettes, bulletins and holy water have all been removed from the church.

            * Please remember that we continue to live stream all our celebrations of Mass on the St. James Faith Formation Facebook page.  Also keep in mind that it is not necessary to receive Holy Communion at every Mass.  If you are concerned or apprehensive about receiving, then please enter into a ‘spiritual communion’ with the Lord. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas J. Ferland

Pastor, St. James Church

 

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Office Hours
St. Ambrose & St. James Offices
Monday - Friday
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

 

 

Please call the office for any questions or concerns.

 

 

Budget envelopes can be mailed to:

St. James Church, PO Box 60, Manville, RI  02838

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Video from the Diocese of Providence regarding masses resuming on May 30, 2020

 

 

 

Guidelines from the Diocese of Providence

for the Faithful for Returning to Mass in Time of COVID-19

Guidelines for Returning to Mass in time of COVID-19
 

The advent of the novel coronavirus has marked our community substantially over the past two months. Whether directly succumbing to the disease it causes, or experiencing its far-reaching economic and emotional effects, all of us have been affected in some way. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our local communities, especially vulnerable populations, Bishop Tobin suspended the public celebration of Mass in March. This was a painful, but necessary decision in view of the common good. As the state begins its phased approach to re-open sectors of our community, the public celebration of Mass will resume on May 30, 2020, the Vigil of the Solemnity of Pentecost. This is a joyous moment for our local Church as we gather again as the Body of Christ. Resuming the public celebration of Mass will look differently than before, given the recommendations of health experts. The following points highlight some of these changes.
 
1. Catholics will be dispensed from Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses while public Masses will resume, vulnerable populations, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions are asked to follow the most up to date health regulations and remain at home. There are many who might feel uncomfortable returning to Mass. They, too, have legitimate reason to remain at home. Bishop Tobin has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses until further notice.
 
2. Access to Mass will be limited in order to prevent risk of infection, attendance at Mass will be limited to a percentage of the church's capacity as specified in the fire code. Some parishes will request a "reservation" or ticket system, or find ways to split up parishioners alphabetically in as equitable a manner as possible.
 
3. Parishioners will be expected to sanitize their hands immediately upon entry to the church. Likewise, they must wear a mask at all times, with the exception of receiving Holy Communion.
 
4. Pews will be sectioned off. In order to maintain six feet distance between parishioners, parishes will mark off sections of pews where parishioners can safely sit.
 
5.  Singing will be limited. Because of the risk of infection due to increased aerosolized particles, singing must be limited. Hymnals will be removed from churches.
 
6. Parishioners will receive Holy Communion in a safe manner parishioners will take off their masks to receive Holy Communion, but the priest or other minister may wear a mask when distributing Holy Communion. The priest or other minister will always sanitize his hands before this time, and whenever he accidentally comes into contact with a person. Parishioners are encouraged to receive Holy Communion on the hand; but another option would be to refrain from receiving Holy Communion and make an act of spiritual communion instead.
 
7. The church will be sanitized after every Mass to ensure everyone's safety, parish staff or volunteers will sanitize commonly touched surfaces and pews before and after every celebration of Mass.

8. Budget envelopes will be submitted prior to Mass or as you leave. Instead of "passing the basket," a secure receptacles should be available so parishioners can drop off their budget envelopes before or after Mass.
 
9. Avoid personal contact with anyone the sign of peace remains suspended; physical contact must be avoided at all costs.
 
10. Those who are sick must stay home.  Anyone who has symptoms of any sickness (even mild symptoms) may not attend the public celebration of Mass.

 

Prayer for Healing from Coronavirus -Pope Francis O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.  We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love,to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.  Amen May God bless you and your families.     St. James Food Pantry   Please deposit food bags in containers located at the front entrance of the church. Food Pantry OPEN Thursday from 10:00 to 12:00pm All are welcome!

 

Home page Photo Credits: Banner etching by Ron Valiquette. Church Interior photo by Roland Lussier. Church rear Exterior photo by Louise Dussault.

     

Welcome back ...

We are so happy to see you!

The celebration of public masses resumes this weekend,

May 30-31, 2020

 

St. James Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday 4:00pm

Sunday 10:00am

 

*St. James Weekday Mass Times:

Tuesday and Thursday    8:30am

*Please note that the weekday mass has been changed to 8:30am.  The change is on a trial basis at this time.

 

We will also continue to live-stream these masses on our Facebook page.  The videos will be posted for later viewing at …

St.  James Office of Faith Formation

 

 

      

 

         
 

 

Holiday and Holy Day Masses

 

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